Trying Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland – South Portland, Maine

Trying a new restaurant can sometimes feel a little intimidating — especially when it’s a cuisine you’re not very familiar with.

That was exactly the case when we decided to try Taj Indian Cuisine, a popular restaurant located near Clark’s Pond in the South Portland mall area.

Tiffany’s coworkers had been talking about it for a while, and after hearing how much they loved it, we decided it was finally time to see what all the hype was about.

First Impressions

Walking up to the restaurant, it already looked like a busy place.

The restaurant sits in a small plaza and shares the area with other businesses nearby, but once inside it quickly becomes clear that Taj has its own atmosphere.

The first thing that stood out was the bar.

It’s beautifully designed with warm lighting and shelves of bottles behind the counter. The entire dining area felt lively and upbeat, with conversations happening at nearly every table.

The smell of freshly cooked food drifting from the buffet area immediately made my mouth water.

The Lunch Buffet

Since it was our first time visiting and neither of us are experts when it comes to Indian food, the lunch buffet felt like the perfect way to explore the menu.

For $18 per person, the buffet allows you to try a wide variety of dishes, which is ideal if you’re new to the cuisine and aren’t sure where to begin.

The buffet room itself is beautifully set up, with a colorful mural and rows of hot dishes ready to be served.

What We Tried

One of the best parts about the buffet is being able to sample a little bit of everything.

Some of the standout dishes we tried included:

• Chicken Khorma – one of my favorites
• Methi Chicken – another dish I really enjoyed
• Butter Chicken – Tiffany loved this one
• Chicken Tikka Masala – another Tiffany favorite
• Saag Paneer – rich and flavorful
• Chicken Biryani
• Hakka Noodles – we both really enjoyed these
• Chicken Manchurian – I discovered this on my second trip to the buffet and wished I had found it earlier
• Aloo Gobi – a delicious potato dish
• Bhaji
• Fresh Naan bread – four pieces came with the buffet and it was incredible

The variety made the whole experience fun, especially for a first visit.

Each plate ended up looking a little different as we kept going back to try new things.

The sauces were rich and flavorful, and the spices gave each dish its own personality.

Drinks

Along with the buffet, I ordered a Sai Lager, which paired really well with the meal.

Even with two buffet lunches and a beer, the total bill came in at under $50, which felt like a great deal considering how much food we were able to try.

Fresh Naan Bread

The naan bread deserves its own mention.

Warm, soft, and slightly crispy around the edges, it was perfect for dipping into the different curries and sauces.

It quickly became one of our favorite parts of the meal.

A Thoughtful Detail

One thing that really stood out wasn’t even inside the restaurant.

Just outside the entrance is a small red stand stocked with hot meals for anyone in need.

A sign explains that if the stand is empty, anyone can go inside and the restaurant will make them a meal.

It’s a small gesture, but a powerful one that says a lot about the people behind the restaurant.

A Lively Atmosphere

Throughout our visit the restaurant stayed busy.

The dining room was full of people enjoying lunch, the bar remained active, and the energy of the room made it feel like a place people truly enjoy spending time in.

When to Visit

We arrived around 1:00 PM for lunch and were lucky enough to get a table right away.

But it didn’t take long to notice that the restaurant stays busy. Tables were constantly filling and turning over.

If you’re planning to visit during dinner hours, making a reservation would probably be a good idea.

Final Thoughts

Our first visit to Taj Indian Cuisine left a great impression.

The food was flavorful, the atmosphere was lively, and the service was excellent.

For anyone who already enjoys Indian food — or anyone who has been wanting to try it but isn’t sure where to start — the lunch buffet is a fantastic introduction.

It’s a beautiful restaurant serving incredible food prepared by people who clearly care about what they do.

South Portland, Maine